Floor Care & Maintenance
Last updated
Last updated
A new constructed home goes through several months of settlement. It is normal to hear your subflooring settle “Squeak/Creek” when walking over it throughout the home on the upper level. Some areas may be louder than others. In some instances, the weight of a person or objects (furniture) could cause the deflection of joists causing the squeaks. In your 1-year workmanship, the builder responsibility is to eliminate creeks/squeaks without requiring removal of floor and ceiling finishes. Our recommendation is repair squeaks at the 10-month walk through after your home has experienced some settlement. We will repair squeaks 1-time only. A totally squeak-free floor is not guaranteed.
Follow a simple maintenance plan:
The type and frequency of foot traffic on your Shaw resilient floor will determine the frequency of maintenance needed. Regular attention to a simple maintenance program should include:
Remove dirt and grit by sweeping or dust mopping daily.
Wipe up spills as quickly as possible.
Use protective pads for furniture and appliances to prevent scratching.
Avoid exposure to direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time.
Use protective mats!
It is important to use a good quality entry mat. This will help trap dirt, sand, and other substances, such as oil that would otherwise be tracked onto your floor.
Mats will help protect your resilient flooring from premature wear.
Mats are also suggested at heavy pivot locations, such as in front of kitchen sink and stove.
Do not use mats with latex or rubber backings to avoid possible discoloration.
Care for Stains, Spills, Scuffs, & other Substances
There will be times when it is necessary to use more aggressive cleaning methods on your resilient vinyl floor. Substances such as acids, blood, dyes, paints, solvents, and other contaminants will require special treatment.
Recommendations
We recommend Shaw Floors Hard Surface Cleaner (can be purchased at Walmart, Amazon, Target, Uline) to keep your resilient floors looking their best.
Do not use vinegar to clean floors. Over time, it can damage your floors because it is not pH balanced.
Do not use steam to clean your floors. Extreme temperatures can cause expansion of the vinyl which could lead to wrinkles and glue bond issues.
Use Chair and Appliance Pads to protect your vinyl floor!
Make sure furniture legs have large surface, non-staining floor protectors.
Replace small, narrow metal or dome-shaped glides with smooth, flat guides that are in full contact with the floor.
Heavy furniture or appliances that are not moved often should be equipped with flat, non-staining composition furniture casters or cups of appropriate size.
Keeping your new resilient vinyl floors looking great is simple if you follow these simple tips.
What to expect:
vinyl planks are not scratch resistant.
It is a floating floor- there will be some movement in the flooring
Vinyl Planks will contract and expand with temperature change, popping or crunching noises could occur.
Cleaning your carpet is easier than you think. All it takes is the right vacuum, cleaning products, and a little know-how. Here are a few tips on removing common stains the right way:
Always treat the affected area immediately. The longer the spill sits there, the harder it will be to remove the stain.
For a food spill, gently remove as much solid material as you can with a spoon, or a dull knife. Add water and blot, using detergent sparingly if needed. Then, using the highest suction function, vacuum back and forth, adding more water to the stain as you go until completely clean.
If you need a spot removal solvent, use a product approved by The Carpet and Rug Institute of America. Apply several drops to a clean white cloth and blot the carpet in an inconspicuous area If you notice a change in the carpet color, consult a professional carpet cleaner.
If stains remain after cleaning, moisten tufts in the stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide and let stand for one hour. Blot and repeat until completely clean.
Keeping Your Carpet Beautiful
Follow these simple tips to keep your carpet's color and texture looking fresh.
Vacuum your carpet regularly to prevent soil from embedding itself in the pile.
Depending on the type of carpet you have, you will want to use a vacuum with a rotating brush, a beater bar, or suction only.
Keeping traffic and other use factors in mind, consider professional cleaning every 12 to 18 months.
Use scissors to clip sprouts and snags. Do not pull on them-you might damage the carpet.
If your carpet is burned, simply remove the tops of the dark, burnt fibers with curved fingernail scissors. If the burn is extensive, you may need to patch or replace it.
Remove heavy furniture dents by stroking the dented area with the edge of a coin. You can also use a hair dryer or a steam iron but be very careful not to touch the carpet with the iron.
For extensive water damage, consult professional cleaners to dry your carpet from the front to the back.
Let your floor's natural beauty shine through. Hardwood floor finish provides superior resistance to everyday wear and easy, no-wax maintenance. To keep your floor looking like new, follow these simple care steps.
Specialty Hardwood Cleaning
Remove sticky substances, such as candle wax or chewing gum, by applying ice to harden the substance and then gently scraping with a plastic scraper. (Tip: A credit card makes a good substitute.) Be careful not to scratch the flooring surface. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
Protective Hardwood Floor Care
Use entry mats, which will help collect the dirt, sand, grit and other substances such as oil, asphalt or driveway sealer that can be tracked onto your hardwood flooring. To prevent slipping, use an approved vinyl rug underlayment. (Tip: Don't use rubber- or foam-backed plastic mats, as they may discolor the flooring.)
Use floor protectors and wide-load-bearing leg bases or rollers to minimize indentations and scratches from heavy objects. (Tip: As a rule, the heavier the object, the wider the floor protector should be.)
Preventative Hardwood Floor Care
Maintain a normal indoor relative humidity level between 35% and 55% throughout the year to minimize the natural expansion and contraction of wood. Follow these tips for winter and summer months:
Heating Season (Dry): A humidifier is recommended to prevent excess shrinkage due tolow humidity levels. Wood-stove and electric heat tend to create very dry conditions.
Non-Heating Season (Wet): An air conditioner, dehumidifier or periodically turning on your heating
system can maintain humidity during the summer months. Avoid excessive exposure to water during periods of inclement weather.
Use care with sharp objects.
Remove shoes with spiked or damaged heels before walking on your hardwood floor; they can leave scratches or indentations in hardwood.
Trim pets' nails regularly.
Rearrange your rugs and furniture periodically to allow the flooring to age evenly.
Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, which can soften the tone of different species of hardwood to varying degrees and accelerate the oxidation and aging of wood.
Protect the floor when moving by using a dolly for heavy furniture or appliances. Never try toslide or roll heavy objects across your hardwood floor.
Do’s
Use soft cloth to blot spills as soon as they happen. Always avoid allowing liquids to stand on your hardwood floor.
Sweep, Dust, or Vacuum the floor regularly. If vacuuming, use a hard wood floor attachment to avoid scratching or dulling your floors finish.
Clean the floor with Shaw floors hard surface cleaner, specially formulated to wipe away dirt and soil without damaging it.
Don’ts
Don’t use oil-based, wax polish or strong ammoniated products, which can dull your floors finish.
Don’t use steel wool, scouring powders or other abrasive cleaners, which can scratch or damage your floors finish.
Don’t wash or wet-mop the floor with soap, water, oil-soap detergent, or any other liquid cleaning material. This could cause swelling, warping, delamination and joint-line separation, and void the warranty.
Don’t use any type of buffing machine.
